Ashleigh Coyle
Former Miss Ireland Rebecca Maguire has backed model mate Ashleigh Coyle to be a Big Brother champ.
Rebecca, now helping to organise the all-Ireland beauty competition, says her Derry pal would be by her side at the Belfast heat next week, if she wasn’t taking part in the Channel 5 show.
The pair met when they started their modelling careers together and have been firm friends since.
And Belfast girl Rebecca says the Derry model will show the other housemates how to keep cool.
“Ashleigh was Miss Derry when I was Miss Ireland and we were friends before that,” says Rebecca.
“We used to get booked for jobs together when clients wanted a blonde and a brunette so were our own wee double act.”
This year’s show has already attracted hundreds of complaints from viewers when all hell broke loose after nominations were announced on the fourth day, but the Derry teen has steered clear of the conflict.
“I was really looking out for her and giving her advice, and I know she will do everyone proud on Big Brother,” says pal Rebecca.
“There have been a lot of fights on the show and she hadn’t been involved in any of them.
“She’s very wise she has a very level head. Ashleigh is only 18 but she is very mature for her age.”
Rebecca is keeping an eye on her friend’s progress from Belfast, where she’s putting the finishing touches to the Belfast heat of Miss Ireland in El Divino next Wednesday.
After winning the competition in 2012 she jumped at the chance to take the behind-the-scenes role.
“I have always worked very closely with Miss Ireland since I handed over the title last year. They approached me and said we trust you with doing this.
The former winner reckons she’s also perfectly placed to show hopefuls the ropes.
Rebecca Maguire
Even the controversy over her Miss Ireland win, when the original winner was disqualified for being over the age limit, and the title passed to runner up Rebecca, is a positive.
“I’m not asking any of the girls to do anything I haven’t done myself.
“That’s what I’m saying to them – if you want to know anything just ask me because I have done it all.
The 22-year-old also has to make sure all her commitments fit around her pharmacy degree at Queens.
Rebecca is in the third year of a four year course which has to take priority.
“I really enjoy the course and I’m hoping to get a pharmacy job. I don’t know how I find the time for it all, but you just have to.